In this piece, I highlight quarterbacks who stand out in our large suite of analytical fantasy tools, most specifically, our FantasyLabs Player Models. While the models are built for DFS contests, this is an all-purpose fantasy article with actionable information for all formats.
As news breaks throughout the week and we adjust our projections (powered by Sean Koerner), player ratings in our Player Models will change as the projections change. For updates, visit the models directly.
And don’t forget about the tools that FantasyLabs has to offer, like our Lineup Optimizer to effortlessly create up to 150 lineups, or use our Lineup Builder if you like to hand-build your lineups.
Top NFL DFS Quarterback Picks in the FantasyLabs Models
On DraftKings, there are three quarterbacks near the top of the individual Sean Koerner, Chris Raybon, Cash Game, and Tournament Player Models.
- Justin Fields
- Jared Goff
- Gardner Minshew
We’ll discuss why these three are popping in our models, as well as take a look at some other quarterbacks.
Top Model NFL DFS Quarterback Picks
Justin Fields ($7,900 DraftKings, $8,400 FanDuel): Chicago Bears (+6) at Detroit Lions (52.5 total)
Justin Fields finally had a floor game last week after lighting the fantasy world on fire for about half of the season. Fields completed 65.2% of his passes for merely 119 yards and one touchdown and had his lowest rushing output of the season. He carried the ball just seven times for 11 yards, mustering 9.86 DraftKings points on the day.
Fields’ fantasy production is tied to his legs far more than any other quarterback in the league, as 53.3% of his fantasy points this season have come on the ground, which gives him a low floor and a very high ceiling every week.
He leaves a tough matchup against Buffalo to face a Detroit defense that he shredded on the ground almost two months ago. He carried the ball 13 times for 147 yards and two touchdowns against Detroit. He also had an okay day through the air, throwing for 167 yards and two touchdowns.
The Lions have given up the most rushing yards and rushing touchdowns to opposing quarterbacks and have given up the third most passing fantasy points per game. It’s all systems go for Fields this week, as he leads our Tournament Model.
Jared Goff ($5,600 DraftKings, $7,400 FanDuel): Detroit Lions (-6) vs. Chicago Bears (52.5 total)
On the other side of this potential shootout in Ford Field is Jared Goff. Goff has had some solid performances as of late, with 24.6 or more DraftKings points in three of his past four games. The one outlier came against a stingy Jets defense.
We like backing Goff in good weather and in good matchups, and he gets both here. They’ll be playing in a dome, so the weather won’t be a factor. This Chicago defense has given up 7.7 yards per pass attempt, which is the third-highest rate in the league.
Goff also shredded this same defense back in Week 10, completing 73.1% of his passes for 9.1 yards per attempt. He only threw one touchdown, but he was very efficient on limited volume.
Ford Field has been a comfortable place for Goff, as he’s thrown 20 passing touchdowns and is averaging 277.1 yards per game through the air. This game has the highest total on the slate by a comfortable margin, and Goff is a far cheaper option than Justin Fields.
Goff is the top quarterback in Chris Raybon’s Pro Model and our Cash Game Model.
Gardner Minshew ($5,500 DraftKings, $7,500 FanDuel): Philadelphia Eagles (-5.5) vs. New Orleans Saints (41.5 total)
Gardner Minshew stepped in for his first start of the year and delivered a great fantasy performance. He completed 24 of 40 passes for 355 yards, throwing two touchdowns and two interceptions. He also punched in a score on the ground, racking up 28.7 DraftKings points.
Jalen Hurts is listed as doubtful, so we can expect Minshew to get the start again. Minshew is a capable quarterback, and he has a very talented offense around him. He got a great game environment last week but may not be as fortunate this week.
This game is outdoors in Philadelphia against a solid Saints defense. New Orleans is allowing merely 6.3 yards per pass attempt, which is the second-best rate in the league. Minshew’s price tag isn’t too prohibitive, so he doesn’t need a ceiling performance to pay off his price tag. It’s hard to expect this game to turn into a back-and-forth affair, as New Orleans doesn’t have the most high-powered offense.
Minshew ranks second in Plus/Minus and Points/Salary at the quarterback position while leading Sean Koerner’s Pro Model.
Other Notable NFL DFS Quarterback Picks
Brock Purdy ($5,500 DraftKings, $7,000 FanDuel): San Francisco 49ers (-9.5) at Las Vegas Raiders (42.5 total)
Brock Purdy has been pretty consistent and efficient under center for San Francisco, throwing two touchdowns in all four games and falling between 185-234 yards in all four. Kyle Shanahan isn’t asking Purdy to do too much, but he’s getting the ball into their playmaker’s hands. In his three starts, he’s thrown for 8.8, 8.3, and 10.6 yards per attempt.
Purdy now gets to face a Las Vegas defense that doesn’t provide much resistance. They’re the fourth-worst defense in passing fantasy points allowed per attempt but have faced a lackluster slate of opposing quarterbacks.
David Blough ($4,000 DraftKings, $6,000 FanDuel): Arizona Cardinals (+5.5) at Atlanta Falcons (41.5 total)
Whom? Bling Blang Blough? Yes. Yes Indeed. David Blough is back in our lives, ladies and gentlemen. We haven’t seen much of Blough since he started a handful of games for Detroit back in 2019, losing all five games he appeared in and throwing merely four touchdowns and six interceptions. We’re not expecting much out of Blough, but his price tag reflects that.
Blough has completed 54.3% of his career passes for 5.6 yards per attempt. He gets an Atlanta defense that has allowed 7.5 yards per pass attempt and a 4.5% touchdown rate. Blough is cheap in a soft matchup on a slate that is devoid of many appealing quarterbacks.
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